signed it, and passed the sheet and the pen to Danton; Danton signed it; and then Marat, who did not take his eyes from Cimourdain's pale face, signed it after Danton."
Robespierre took the sheet of paper again, dated it, and gave it to Cimourdain, who read,—
"Year II. of the Republic.
"Full power is granted to Citizen Cimourdain, delegated commissioner from the Committee of Public Welfare to Citizen Gauvain, commandant of the reconnoitring column of the coast army.
And below these signatures,—
"Twenty-eighth of June, 1793."
The Revolutionary Calendar, called the Civil Calendar, was not in existence legally at this period, and was not adopted by the Convention, according to the proposition of Romme, till the fifth of October, 1793.
Marat watched Cimourdain while he read the paper.
Marat said in an undertone, as if speaking to himself: "All that will have to be specified by a decree of the Convention, or by a special resolution of the Committee of Public Welfare. There is something yet to be done."
"Citzen Cimourdain," asked Robespierre, "where do you live?"
"Court of Commerce."
"Wait; so do I," said Danton; "you are my neighbor."
Robespierre added,—
"There is not a moment to be lost. To-morrow, you will receive your commission in due form, signed by all the members of the Committee of Public Welfare. This is a confirmation of the commission which will accredit you especially with the active representatives Phillieaux, Prieur de la Marne, Lecointre, Alquier, and others. We know who you are. Your powers are unlimited. You can make Gauvain general or send him to the scaffold. You will have your commission to-morrow at three o'clock. When will you start?"
"At four o'clock," said Cimourdain.
And they separated.
On his way home, Marat informed Simonne Evrard that he should go to the Convention the following day.
